The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-08

in the use of these deadly weapons by
} Bridget and Maggie, two unsophisti-
Gated ham maidens, who, in fact,
would not have known toy pistol
from Calling gun. Maud, in spite
, OF her tension of anxiety, grew speech
less with laughter behind her fan as
, she list, ned, iurtively watching the
strangers face, and noting his just
controlled uneasness. Finally, like
one who takes resolution, he began
abruptly, 81 really am in very false
, prsiton--" ..
"Oh, l beg your pardon, Mr.. Fol-
liot,' quickly interposed Maud, fearing
that, in his rising suspicious, she would
lose her carefully prepared coup. "Ii
I you would like to remove any linger
ing dust of travel, you have just time
before tea" .....
The young man rose at this hint and
Maud volunteering to show the way,
accompanied him up the broad stair
case, and smiingly indicated the room
where his knapsack had been left. No
sooner had he stepped within than,
quick as flash, the girl shut the door
and locked it on the outside, where she
had already placed The key. Then she
leaned pantiug against the wall and
listened to the movements of the trap
ped barglar
For few moments there was per.
feet stiffness, as if he were tying to
realize the meaning of that click of the
lock; then she heard him go to the
door aud turn the handle, first softly,
then louder and louder. Maud claspei
her hands tightly together, feeling al
most hysterical between laughter aud
nervousness. Then the rattling stop
ped, and voice said slowly:
"Miss Estabrook ! Are you still
there 2"
"Yes," answered Maud, holding her
breath.
you are not aware hat you have
locked me IN"
Maud hesitated for an instant. But
since the explanation must come, it
might as well come at once. "Yes,"
she answered, clearly; 81 did it inten-
tionally."
'In-deed y The blended accent
of this word made her feel hysterical
again. "Perhaps you would not mind
telling me ,ohy you did it :"
because you are Lurglar," an
swered the girl, concisely.
There was an indistinct mutter which
might or might not have been an ex-
pletlve Then, after a silence, he
ioqulred, quite formally. Sand might
| ssk what you mean to do with me 7"
keep you shut up here until my
brother or the gardener comes back /;
and then"
"Yes and then"
"Then," replied Maud, with sud.
den inspiration, "we will let you go, if
you will go peaceably.'
There was sound of suppressed
laughter at this. Then the voice re-
joined, politely: "Thanks. l will give
you any assurances you require"
Maud went down to the dining.room,
where she busted herself in packing a
basket, After this, returning upstairs,
she called to her prisoner: "Mr.-Mr.
FolliottI'
"Yes?"
SIT you will open the closet you will
find rope. Please let it down and we
will send you up some supper
The stranger obeye !, and well fill
ed basb ct was soon lifted through the
window into his room. Maud hospi-
tably hoped he had everything he
wished
Thanks; not quite" was the deliber-
ate answer. "If l might ask for
couple of Toms cigars?"
"Tom, indeed! The wretch' com.
nented Toms sister to herself. Then,
aloud: "Oh certainly, if you will let
the basket down again"
At this point Mrs. Estabrook remon,
strated. "Really, Maud, that is too
mur CHI
"Oh, mamma, anything to keep him
quiet and good tempered" said Maud.
"And you know he aoas to have tea
with u.s."
''But if he should burn the house
down smoking them 7" anxiously sug-
gested her mother.
swell, perhaps It's safer to give him
something to use his matches with"
answered Maud, with mastery stroke
of logic. sand they always do have
mathes," she concluded, indefinitely.
Her reasoning carried the day, so the
cigars went up and the rope came
down, for this was point on which
Maud was firm. She had no intention
of leaving that rope in their burglar
lous visitors possession.
The evening waned, and still there
was no sign of Peters return. The
two ladies did not dream of sleeping,
but kept watch throughout the night
in the room adjoining that of their
prisoner, bracing themselves with
strong tea for their task. 1t was weary
work, however, and the minutes crept
slowly into the small hours.
The hall clock hal Just struck the
quarter before two, when the silence
OF the house was disturbed by a little
sound which seemed preternaturally
loud to their strained ears. Mrs. Esta-
brook sat erect to listen, while Maud
turned up the glimmering lamp, Again
came the sound, slight but distinct,
scratch, scratch-fle, file."
"Maud, what is that noise 7" said
Mrs Estabrook, with the calmness of
despair Maud declined to commit her
self prematurely. ...
"Maud," said her mother again, sits
down at the piazza window. lists
a confederate OF the man in there! Oh,
don't tell me! | knO,O !"
Maud frowned thoughtfully. Her
mothers idea seemed only too plaus.
ible.
"HeIl get in, and let the other one
out, pursued Mrs. Estabrook, breath.
lessly; "and then they'll go through the
house, aud rob and murder US all. Oh
dea,! Oh,hl'
"Don't, mamma dear pray dout"
entreated Maud, as the poor lady, over
whelmed by her own picture, showed
signs of becoming hysterical, and ut
tered several small screams Upon
this, the occupant of the next room,
who heretofore had given no sign of
life, began to knock on the door be-